Walk & Turn Test

Posted on Nov 30, 2011 10:46am PST

DWI/DUI THE WALK AND TURN TEST... What You Need to Know

1. This is a very popular
FIELD SOBRIETY TEST. This test is one of 3 that are most commonly used by the National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration, better known as the NHTSA. Police
who suspect a driver of a DWI/DUI will definitely at least most commonly
use at least three, so the knowledge of this TEST is definitely beneficial.

2. The most important thing is that it is an examination of both physical
and mental impairment combined. The officer will definitely be watching for both.

3. The TEST works in two parts.

First, the driver will be asked to stand heel-to-toe, with arms down by
their side. The officer meanwhile will be administering further instructions.
Among the instructions will be 9 steps along an imaginary line, then turn,
and then take another 9 heal-to-toe steps back towards the officer. The
officer will be watching the entire process and analyzing if the driver
is impaired.

Secondly, the officer will use the "EIGHT SIGNS" part of the
test. The officer will be looking for the drivers ability or inability
to follow and balance during the directions, starting the test too soon,
stepping off the imaginary line, the use of arms to balance, losing balance
while turning, turning incorrectly, stopping while walking, or taking
the wrong number of steps.

4. If the driver fails more than 2 or 3 of any of the above the officer will
detect that the driver is over the limit of theBlood Alcohol Concentration,
otherwise known as (BAC). Ninety nine percent of the time the driver will
be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
(DWI/DUI). One of the things that the officer must take into consideration is that
the driver may have a sustained injury or even an illness. Being under
the influence of alcohol causes impairment of both physical and mental
conditions, so if the driver is arrested and it was only a physical impairment,
the case can successfully be challenged in court by a
DUI/DWI attorney. By physical impairment, the case can be challenged in many ways.
For example, back or leg injuries, individuals over the age of 65, walking
on uneven ground, walking in bad weather (rain, snow or wind), or even
tthe type of shoes the driver is wearing such as high heels, etc. These
are some of the factors just to name a few that make this test questionable at times.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION AGAINST A FAULTY
ARREST, WHICH IS WHY A DRIVER MUST HAVE PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION. SOMETIMES
POLICE OFFICERS DON'T ADMINISTER WALK AND TURN TESTS CORRECTLY, OR
DON'T INTERPRET THE RESULTS AS THEY SHOULD. CHICAGO CRIMINAL DEFENSE
ATTORNEY MITCH FURMAN AND ASSOCIATES RISE ABOVE THE REST WITH THOROUGH
KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW WITHIN THE GREATER CHICAGOLAND AREA. THE BEST WAY
TO DEFEND YOURSELF AND CHALLENGE A DWI/DUI CHARGE IS TO CONSULT AND
CONTACT OUR FIRM TODAY.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.